Propelling mechanism for vehicles.



No. 804,867. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. J. P. KNOWLTODL' PROPELLINGMECHANISM FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

No-804,867. PATENTED NOV. 21,1905. J. F. KNOWLTON.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'QFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

Patented Nov. 21 1905.

Application filed January 23, 1905. Serial No. 242,433.

To aZZ 1071,0112, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEFFERSON F. KNowL- TON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Canton, in the county of Lincoln and State of SouthDakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PropellingMechanism for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of propellingmechanism that may be readilyv applied to any style of vehicle eitherfor pleasure or draft purposes and which will materially lessen the costof mechanically-propelled machines specially designed to meet the demandfor horseless carriages.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions bychanges in the structure and minor details without departing from thespirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodimentthereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is aside view of a vehicle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail viewof the steering mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper frame ofthe running-gear to which the body of the vehicle is attached. Fig. 4 isa view similar to Fig. 3 of the lower frame of the running-gear.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The framework of the running-gear comprises, essentially, two members,(designated, respectively, as the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2.)Springs'3 are interposed between the two frames, so as to neutralize allshock and vibration.

Within the purview of the invention the two frames 1 and 2 may be of anydesign and structure, depending upon the load and character of vehiclefor which the mechanicallypropelled running-gear is intended.

The lower frame 2 is provided with front and rear axles 4 and 5, to thearms of which are supplied wheels 6 of any type. The arms of the frontaxle are pivotally connected thereto in the accustomed manner and haveextensions 7, which are connected by means of a rod or bar 8, to whichmovement is imparted for proper steering of the machine. As indicated, alever 9 is pivoted between its ends to the axle 4, and its rear end isconnected to the rod or bar 8. A hub 10 is provided with an extension11, which is in en'- gagement with the front end of the lever 9 toimpart movement thereto when the hub 10 is turned either to the right orto the left. The steering-post 12 is secured within the hub 10 to compelmovement thereof in unison with said post when turned either to theright or to the left. As shown, the hub 10 is formed with a square orangular opening, and the steeringpost 12 has a part correspondinglyformed to snugly fit within the hub 10. The lower end of the post 12 isjournaled in a plate A, secured to the axle 4. and extended forwardtherefrom. The shaft 13 for transmitting movement to the steering-post12 is adapted to be lengthened or shortened and is provided in itslength with a gimbal-joint 14 to admit of the rear end of the shaftbeing raised or lowered, as may be required. A hand-Wheel 15 is fittedto the rear end of the shaft 13 and is within convenient reach of theoperator.

Bevel-gearing 16 connects the shaft 13 with hub is provided withsprocket-gears 20, to

which movement is imparted from a suitable motor B by means ofsprocket-chains 21. Obviously any form of gearing may be resorted to fortransmitting power from the motor or engine to the driver 18 for'impelling the machine when it is required to drive same. Thetraction-wheel or driver 18 is centrally disposed, and to preventslipping its rim is provided with cogs.

The traction-wheel may be of any desired construction and mounted in anypreferred way and is independent of the usual vehiclewheels and isdesigned solely as a propeller for driving the machine when required.

The upper frame 1 is adapted to support the engine B and adjunctivepartssuch as battery C, water-tank D, and gasolene-tank E also shaft 25,provided with balance-wheel 24 and power-transmitting gear 27. Theconstruction of the frame 1 will likewise depend upon the specialpurposes of the runninggear and the design of the vehicle for which itis constructed. The bell 28 or other signal and the several levers forspeeding, starting, and the like are mounted upon the frame within easyreach of the occupant of the vehicle to which the machine may becoupled. A cab 29 of any design is mounted upon the frame 1 and housesthe motor and working parts and protects them from the weather. Themotor B illustrated is of the explosive or gasolene type, and the shaftdriven thereby is provided with sprocket-pinions 26, around which passthe upper forward ends of the sprocketchains 21.

In accordance with this invention the machine is designed to be used inthe capacity of a traction engine or locomotive and is to be hitched,coupled, or attached in any manner to the buggy, carriage, or othervehicle to be invention, what ing the upper one, a motor and adjunctiveparts and a steering-shaft mounted upon the upper frame, steering-wheelssupporting the front of the propelling mechanism and connected with thesaid steering-shaft, couplings for partly supporting the rear end of thelower frame and loosely connecting it with the vehicle to be propelled,a traction-wheel mounted upon the rear portion of the lower frame andmovable therewith and supplementing the action of the couplings incarrying the weight of the propelling mechanism, and connections betweenthe motor and the said tractionwheel.

2-. In a mechanically-propelled vehicle, the combination of a lowerframe provided with means for coupling it to the vehicle to bepropelled, front supporting and steering wheels fitted thereto, alongitudinal lever pivoted between its ends to the front axle, meansconnecting one end of said lever to the steeringwheels, a steering-postconnected with the opposite end of said lever, a rear traction-wheeljournaled to said lower frame, springs interposed between and connectingsaid upper and lower frames, a motor and adjunctive parts mounted uponthe upper frame and connected with the said traction-wheel, and a shaftcarried by the upper frame and extended within convenient reach of theoperator and geared to the said steering post, substantially asspecified.

3. In a mechanically-propelled vehicle, a runninggear comprising upperand lower frames, the latter provided with the supporting-wheels,springs interposed between the two frames, .a centrally -disposedtractionwheel mounted upon the lower frame, a motor carried by the upperframe, and connections between said motor and traction-wheel.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JEFFERSON F.KNOWL'1ON. [1,. s]

' Witnesses:

H. N. COOPER, MARY COOPER.

